Memphis Depay returns to action for Corinthians after more than two months | OneFootball

Corinthians faced Atlético-MG on Sunday night (24) at Neo Química Arena, in a match valid for the 17th round of the 2026 Brazilian Championship, and won 1-0. The Alvinegro’s goal was scored by midfielder Zakaria Labyad in the 42nd minute of the second half. The win temporarily lifted Timão to 15th place with 21 points — five wins, six draws, and six losses — with 15 goals scored and 18 conceded.

The match marked forward Memphis Depay’s return to the pitch after more than two months recovering from a grade 2 muscle injury in his right thigh. Previously, his last match for Corinthians had been on March 22, in a 1-1 draw against Flamengo at Neo Química Arena, in the eighth round of the Brasileirão;

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

On that day, he was substituted in the first half. He was also involved in Timão’s equalizer in that match. On Yuri Alberto’s goal, the Dutchman played the ball to Matheus Bidu on the left, who delivered a first-time cross for the No. 9 to finish into the back of the net.

Against Atlético-MG, Memphis Depay was on the field for 30 minutes, coming on in the 15th minute of the second half in place of defensive midfielder André Luiz. The No. 10, however, did not have a standout performance. In total, according to Sofascore, a sports statistics app, he posted the following numbers in the match: 14/16 accurate passes (88%), 27 touches, two fouls suffered, five carries, one ball recovery, and 2/3 ground duels won. His rating on the app was 6.4.

Signed in September 2024 after not renewing with Atlético de Madrid, Memphis Depay quickly became one of Corinthians’ main players. He was key in the team’s surge in that year’s Brasileirão, in which the side escaped the relegation zone and finished the tournament in a spot qualifying for the following year’s Copa Libertadores preliminary stage — seventh place with 56 points.

During the team’s recovery in the tournament, he scored seven goals. He later played a decisive role in winning the Campeonato Paulista (2025), Copa do Brasil (2025), and Supercopa do Brasil (2026), against Palmeiras, Vasco da Gama, and Flamengo, respectively. For Timão, he has scored 20 goals and provided 15 assists in 78 matches (61 as a starter). It is worth noting that the player’s contract with Corinthians runs until July 20 and, so far, there is no decision regarding his future at Parque São Jorge.

With Memphis Depay available, Corinthians now turns its attention to the sixth and final round of the Conmebol Libertadores group stage. Next Wednesday (27), at 9:30 p.m. Brasília time, Timão will host Argentina’s Platense, also at Neo Química Arena.

Eyeing the World Cup

Last Monday (18), coach Ronald Koeman commented on the forward’s physical condition and made it clear that the player’s presence at the World Cup will depend on his minutes in the remaining matches before the final squad announcement.

“There is a chance that Memphis will be there. He still has three games before the call-up. He needs to play in them. Then I will take him (to the World Cup),” the coach said in an interview with the program Rondo on Ziggo Sport.

The Netherlands national team’s all-time top scorer, Memphis is racing against time to convince the coaching staff that he will be physically fit to play in the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The final Dutch squad list will be announced on May 27. The European team is in Group F of the competition, alongside Japan, Sweden, and Tunisia.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.